erjunkie8

Any new grads seeking employment with Florida Hospital in Orlando area... be careful!! They sell themselves as the "perfect place to work" but they throw their own employees out on the streets to bring in new nurses from out of the area who are unfamiliar with how they 'work'. As an employee with FH for 11 years I was pushed into termination as a new GN due to positions avail only to experienced nurses. Not to mention the contract they make you sign I am still responsible for. ($13,500, which is VERY high. Tampa General has a contract for the same length of time for $2,500 and their program is 10x better!!)... The central florida area for new nurses has limited options. There are only a few companies to work for which have multiple branches. They force the old employees to leave so they can bring in the new ones and pay them less. Florida Hospital has no problems terminating your employment and holding you liable to the ($13,500) contract.... As you seek employment I wish you the best of luck, just be sure this is the BEST choice for you. They do not live by "THE HEALING MINISTRY OF CHRIST"!!

I was hoping for results to be online today. I have heard people say that within 24 hours you can get results. I am in FL and not sure... My last questions was on prioritization as well... I'm just nervous!

I am a little nervous that I had no OB questions.. I shut off at 75 and had a bunch of teaching, prioritization and SATA... Did anyone else have any OB questions or none at all??

You should be proud! Any graduation, certification or license is a wonderful achievement. I have my AS in Emergency Medicine.. Looks great on paper and on a resume but that is it. When I got that degree I felt so accomplished.. I was always told "are you going to go to nursing school??" Even with my AS in Nursing and AS in Emergency Med I get no acknowledgement for the EMS degree. They say "it's not related to your AS Nursing"... I still have no reply to that because I still can't believe someone would say that to me!! I work in OB and I guess EMS has no relativity.. LOL, be proud! There will always be someone there to try and burst your bubble! Be proud!!

Where I work in FL the pay difference in ASN & BSN is in the range of 0.50-$1.50. Not worth it to me... I may get my bachelors at a later time just for myself but never have been a management person and have no desire to be. I believe you need the BSN to teach though and some people like to teach. ASN to BSN to MSN is all written. Hardly any clinical time like what you have when you start. Most managers haven't done direct pt care in many years... but they make the rules, go figure.. (uhh, makes me sick!..LOL)

yes you are right. Long term health pay is decent compared to the hospitals. In the hospitals LPN's make much less and pretty much do the same job as RN's (for the most part). Eventhough I have had challenges with previous experience and testing I am glad that I have been on both sides of the fence being the one looked down on, I appreciate and encourage any role in the field. You need the techs, clerical staff and LPN's to make it all click! On the floor I am on there are no techs. RN's are responsible for all pt care. You have a special place in my heart for your passion in long term care. I don't like it and have always thought that those who work there have to like it. Also, I know that after our 3rd semester (mother/baby) of nursing school we are given the option to take the LPN exam. I know many people who fail the entire RN program based on 1%-2% below passing and are not allowed readmission. Because of that most of them challenge the LPN so they can work and support their families. I am not sure but I think that LPN's in long term care make about the same as a RN in the hospital. Go where your heart leads you. Management has the max requirements for degree's.... makes me wonder they have all these degree's on paper but what about the reason we all went into nursing... the passion for caring! Not sure if you have ever worked with CRNA's (anesthesia nurses) but some of them look down on RN's and do the same as these RN's did to you. It is so true when they say "nurses eat their young".. Don't let other RN's get you down with assumptions about LPN job roles. I admire all of them!! It's ignorance... even when I have replied to postings on the EMS sites, they are all fighting and bickering about who's better but we are all here for the same reason... the patient!!

That is very unfortunate. I believe I read somewhere it was mentioned "we don't stick LPN's anywhere", which is true. Nursing home care is a choice. The nurse in charge of doctors offices for the most part are LPN's. I have had the same disrespect with my years of ER experience with some RN's looking down on EMS, so I can understand EXACTLY how you feel! My personal opinion with LPN and RN is that for one the pay difference is huge (ballpark of $5-$8/hr or more). If you start as a LPN and decide later to transition to RN all of the pre-reqs for the RN program must be completed prior to applying eventhough you have your LPN. You almost spend more money in the long run paying for both RN & LPN school. The fast track is not really "fast". Secondly, when you work in the hospital as a LPN you may pick up "real world" habits and that can hurt you. Now, this is my opinion. I have learned that years of experience (I had about 10 with ER, OR & EMS) made it more difficult for me to change my ways strictly out of pure habit. For example, I have done TONS of foley caths and during my skills check off my instructor failed me and made me redo it. I had bad habits and trying to retrain my brain was hard. You know the whole old dog, new tricks thing... anyways. As for the whole BSN thing and where nursing is going... whatever. If you want to go into management, work as a charge nurse, ANM or NM then yes go for your BSN. It's not like the hospital is going to make all of the 2yr nurses leave until they have a degree. If it becomes a requirement later then the hospital should pay for it. I personally hate management with a passion and if I chose to get my BSN in the future it is for my own gratification. Upper management and administratiors usually require MSN. It's a choice on what path you want to take in your career. Pay no mind to the people who look down on other positions. It is sad, very common and usually misunderstood. Remember when you told people you were going into nursing and they ALL said "WOW, you can go anywhere with that and you will have so many choices", well you still can!!! GOOD LUCK! **I took my NCLEX for the 2nd time today, I am praying and hoping it paid off, more experience hurts you in the long run, and that is how "I" feel about it***

I think that in some places it is not a requirement however is preferred. Where I am in FL they do not require the RN's (for flight) to have EMT/PM certification and will hire them but want them to complete the training and sit for the state exams. Ironically enough I know of one nurse who is such an incredible nurse and awesome at every part of nursing have to retake the state medic exam a few times (since RN's can challenge it) and was going to lose his spot on the flight team until it was passed. Not required upon being hired but mandatory to complete.. Every place is so different. I wonder if it was more standard across state lines there would be less confusion.

I wanted some open opinions about how long it is suggested that you wait until you attempt to retake the nclex once you fail. I have heard so many things from... take it asap - longer you wait, more you lose... take your time, don't rush... I am not asking for advice on which study plan (Kaplan, Hurst, Suzanne's, Reinhart) I just want ideas on what really is a realistic recovery with success time. Thanks for all your input!

Thank you. I understand what you are saying. I have been away from the site for a week or so trying to figure out how to get it done. I learned of a classmate who did not pass and truthfully I was devistated for her. I don't think it was a comparrison but more of an embarassment (for me when I failed)... I think that when it happens we are just in shock and desair. Acting purely on emotion and saying irrational bitter things. I appreciate your honesty and being so up front... sometimes people need that one little "get over it" letter to motivate them more... you have done that for me! Thank you feliz3.

I think most of the animosity stems from each role not understanding the purpose of the other. In all actuality the 2 professions (medic & nursing) have very different objectives. Nonetheless, there are paramedics that I would rather have there with me and other times there are nurses I would rather have. I have seen ER doctors ask the paramedic if he can get the tube since his attempts to intubate were not sucessful... We ALL are learning. There will always be "strong" and "not-so-strong" individuals. You see it like I do. For all of those who tend to think one is better than the other - do not apply to the ER. Without Paramedics and EMT's out there getting the ones that need help (although sometimes it is BS... much different topic) the community would suffer. Just as nurses get better and more experienced with time, the same applies to paramedics. You can not be a weak paramedic... if you are shy about emergency medicine OR too judgemental it defeats the purpose of why you chose that career. Paramedics and nurses need eachother... bad attitude = bad report = bad patient care... Another thing to consider is gender. (not to jump on the feminist bandwagon) but I have met many paramedics who think that is a man's job. Combined with firefighting they pretty much beat the women up knowing that in all reality most men are physically stronger than women. There are too many grudges one holds against the other... paramedic vs nurse, male vs female, and even EMT vs Paramedic. I just ask that everyone who reads this remembers the one common denominator... the PATIENT! Everyday someone in this field who is working learns something new and with that we teach it to someone who is still learning. Teach the ones learning from you how to do it as good as you do...

i cant remember off hand.. but whne I thought about it afterwards I was unsure. A similar question was asked later and I thought "oh no did I get it wrong"..

I was trying to figure out the priority in this case. If they gave you a list of patients and who to see first would this person who is hearing voices to harm more of a priority? I saw somewhere else someone mentioned having a tech watch them... sounds great but I am not sure what nclex wants me to know? it's frustrating when it's confusing.. :) thank you..

thank you.. I have taken a break but now trying to find what's going to work for me. I think that this forum helps me identify with others who have the same feelings I do.. all of the support is helping me through this.. thank you :)

another thing too is that most places are going to 100% computerized charting. Any education, discharge, treatment, etc. is signed off by what you are listed under. I believe that is a way to prevent these kinds of legal nightmares. Even the MD's are going to computerized script writing. In the long run this may/may not help with this. Computerized charting can open doors for more error. What is your take on that?

I so know how you feel. You would never wish anything bad on your friends who helped get you through it... just a little better to say "wow, i'm not the only one"!! All of mine have been in orientation this week. I am trying to find a means of income since my employment is frozen...

do you think that this can be compared to nurses and port access? It is taught to RN's how to access a port and it is in your scope of practice. At the hospital I work at you are only allowed to access a port if you are "port certified". On another note, I would have never though of signing MD to my name or anything other. This is just crazy that anyone would think that. I agree.... educate educate educate!!

I agree. That would be false representation. I have never seen anyone do that.. I have seen where EMT/medics have done the assessment and RN looked over and signed... still not a good idea. Just play safe and tell them no you can't no matter how well you think you know someone.. I once saw a new nurse in triage check a pt in. He looked horrible, pale, diaphoretic, breathing hard. She wrote on the sheet "unable to obtain BP" and put the kid back in the lobby. He was 20 with non-hodgkins. I went and told the charge nurse about it and asked him to "eye-ball" the kid just for my own relief. He looked at the kid. RR rate was 52, she wrote 18. They brought him to the back almost immediatley where he almost coded and was intubated. If you are unsure about something and have that "gut" feeling. Grab the charge nurse, don't tell anyone and ask them to just "look" and it would make you feel better. Ever since than that charge RN told me that he earned a great amount of respect for me.

I used to work for a nurse manager who refused to hire EMT/paramedics becasue she felt that paramedics wern't as "caring" as CNA's or PCT's. I never understood that. Have you ever heard of that? I think that the profession, no matter the title, is for the purpose of caring. I just wondered if anyone agreed with that or have had other managers think that way. (no difference to me.. just wondered)

I have attended EMT school, Paramedic School and Nursing School... they have taught me the same in all of them. I have worked in the ER and in EMS since 1998 and know the P&P very well. I know what is required and not allowed. A lot of times nurses ask for the EMT and PM to do jobs they all well know are not allowed. Stand up and tell them no you can't no matter what. You never know who will back you. It is YOUR certification/license. Maybe it varies from state to state and agency to agency. Check your department of health site defining each job responsibility for the job. Overall, most will tell you the same. The state I am in does not even recognize an EMT-I.

The difference with EMT & Paramedic: Easy way to remember this.. EMT's have a Certification. They are BLS ONLY! Paramedics have a license. They are ACLS, etc. EMT's can only provide basic care, paramedics can provide medications and are taught to perform invasive life saving skills. If EMT's get a code all they can do is CPR and call ALS. ALS can intubate, IV, meds, read 12leads etc. Now there is what is called a EMT-I (intermediate) who are EMT's that can start IV's. EMT's think BLS, Paramedics think ACLS. If an EMT tells you they can give meds, they are lying. In most cases EMT's drive, can do blood sugars, immobilization, O2. However they work under the medic license. EMT's go to school for one semester, Paramedics go to EMT school and than an additional one year. Hope this helps...

well I will start and say that this specific blog is about paramedics and falsifying documentation and representation. Lets not get carried away with job descriptions. A medic can sign a form joe smith, PM and that is it. Problem is many ER's are so busy that RN's sign off becasue they get a little too trusting and lax. I knew of 2 RN's and 1 PM who were immediatley terminated for RN signing off on PM pushing a cardiac med in a code. Now, we all know that in a stressful time you have to do stuff quick. The unfortunate part was 2 people from management were the ones that "fried" the other RN's and PM. (they were there when the medic pushed the code) One of the RN's was a nurse manager who was terminated for trying to defend the other RN. She was terminated for not supporting management. The other RN was term for falsifying documentation that she gave the med when the PM really did. The code was a pre-mature delivery and the baby was the code. Scary situation. Both RN's fired were the best of the best they had there. Many people were upset about it. You never know who you can trust and who is watching you "not" do something... please be careful!! This is a legal nightmare. I believe that if it is NOT reported to the BON anyone involved can have discipliary action taken against them for not reporting. The job description varies from hospital to hospital. Where I work PM are basically techs who can start IV's. Eventhough their experience is way beyond that most places dont like to hire PM for the simple fact that they have such restricted limitations and sometimes "forget". I can understand that. So much they are capable of and not allowed to do. Where I am, eventhough I am an EMT. I am not allowed to put O2 on a patient becasue it is considered a "medication" and it should be done and documented by a RN. I don't get that... it depends on the hospital policy. Lets try and redirect to the legal matter here.. if management does not care there is someone in management who does... keep going even if you have to call the annonymous report line. You can cause harm on yourself for not reporting. If you report it use documentation that you did and when. CYA!! You will never be in trouble for reporting, it's when you don't that you do..

is a patient who is hearing voices to harm a priority? I always thought that would be my main concern.. seems I am not always right.

WOW!! These are some big concerns. I would table the subject to the Nurse managers. I myself am an EMT with a degree in Emergency Med. I have always supported medics in the ER and the vital role. The medics we work with always tell the pt "I'm Joe and I am the paramedic (or emt) working with Sue" and that is how is should go. I can see how you have sensitivity on such a brutal subject it seems in these forums. You have EVERY right to be concerned. Medics are allowed to push Lasix in the field and they all know that you can not push it that fast!! I have had many issues with RN's posting on this site about the PM incompetencies. I am a new GN and have seen both sides. I am glad that you have voiced your concern with the great respect that they all are professions. Just approach the NM and tell her you "have a concern" make it like a question to them and not like you are trying to tattle. Know what I mean? I have foudn that management loves to answer questions more than address issues. hope that helps and thank you :)

I just wonder if being that births take place all over the world in all different kind of places comment would be something acceptable in your mind as you were delivering a child... I always pretend how that policy and procedure would apply to me and my family and would I be okay if another nurse violated it just because she went to a wedding. At my work you would be sent home immediatley, no questions asked and not to return until corrected. I think it should be that way.. no exceptions with infection control. NICU babies can die from a paper scratch that gets infected!